This Saturday, hundreds of people from across Virginia will converge in Richmond to march to Governor Terry McAuliffe’s doorstep. Our “March on the Mansion” is going to be the biggest rally for climate justice Virginia has ever seen.
It’s even attracting the attention of famous actor Mark Ruffalo. For real. He released a video message on Thursday to urge Virginians to join us: Click here to watch on Facebook and share!
It’s surely going to be hot — but it also couldn’t be a more important time to turn up the heat on our leaders.
As we hit the streets this Saturday, major decisions are pending on the proposed Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast Pipelines. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is about to decide on the next round of permits for Dominion’s reckless coal ash disposal plans. And, yet, our Governor continues to shrug his shoulders at fossil fuel plans that would harm our communities and worsen climate change.
So it’s time we bring our voices straight to him.
I can’t wait to see you in Richmond this Saturday at noon. Hundreds of you have been filling up bus seats, painting beautiful banners, and — I hope — exercising your chanting voices.
Now, here’s everything you need to know to join us on Saturday — please read to the end!
THE BASICS: Our rally begins on Saturday at 12 noon on Brown’s Island in downtown Richmond. Click here for a Google map. The island is accessible via pedestrian entrances at Tredegar Street & South 5th and South 7th Streets respectively, and by Richmond’s Canal Walk. (Note: a bag check is required to enter Brown’s Island, so make sure to leave knives or glass bottles at home.) The island has restrooms.
BUSES: If you signed up for a bus seat, you will have received (or will shortly get) an email, call or text directly from your bus captain. Find bus pick-up details and contact info for bus captains on the transportation page: http://marchonthemansion.org/transportation.
PARKING: If you’re driving, we have a list and map of parking garages located within a few blocks of Brown’s Island on the transportation page: http://marchonthemansion.org/transportation. (The garages are also just a few blocks from our march end-point at the Capitol.)
OUR AGENDA: Our official rally program begins at 12 noon, but the activity on Brown’s Island will kick-off earlier. Here’s a run-down of the full agenda:

• Pre-rally: Interfaith leaders are holding a prayer service at 11:15 a.m. — all are welcome! Local musicians will begin playing around 11:30 a.m.
• Rally: We’ll get fired up with great speeches from fellow Virginians on the front lines of fossil fuel impacts, and from student, faith, social justice, and climate leaders. ASL interpretation will be available!
• The march: We’ll start marching toward Capitol Square by 1 p.m., guided by marshals, and we’ll wrap up around 2:30 p.m. at the Capitol Bell Tower. If you need help making this walk, we’ll have bus shuttles to take you from the island to the Capitol.
• After the march: Buses will depart from the same block where our march will end. For those not departing on buses, join us for a post-rally debrief and issue session at St. Paul’s church at 815 E Grace St.

SPREAD THE WORD: Throughout the day, post and share updates, photos and video on social media using our march hashtag: #ReachTerry.
THE WEATHER: It will be hot on Saturday — and we’re prepared for it. We’ll have tents to provide shade, water, ice, and mister bottles — plus cooling spots along the march route. Make sure to bring: a water bottle, hat, sunscreen, umbrella, snacks, and anything else that helps keep you cool. St. Paul’s church at 815 E Grace St. (across from the Capitol) will be open from 12 noon – 4 p.m. for marchers as a cooling spot with AC and restrooms. You can also duck into air-conditioned restaurants and shops along the march route as needed.
BRING YOUR OWN DRUMS, SIGNS AND BANNERS: Let’s make this not only the biggest rally for climate justice Virginia has ever seen, but the most beautiful! Do you have a snare drum? Conga? Bass drum? Bring it! And bring your best signs and banners that show why you’re marching.
QUESTIONS? Please check out the FAQ page on our rally website: http://marchonthemansion.org/faq-details. And don’t hesitate to email us at: info@marchonthemansion.org.
We are going to have a fun, peaceful, creative and POWERFUL event this Saturday. We’re going to come together in bigger numbers than ever before to make sure our Governor puts the welfare of citizens over the profits of polluters.
As our friend Mark Ruffalo said, “We can win these fights if we choose to fight.”
Let’s hit the streets together on Saturday!
Mike Tidwell